Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel, an Indian-American attorney and former intelligence officer, has emerged as a prominent figure in the Trump administration. With his close ties to the President and his involvement in high-profile investigations, Patel has garnered significant attention and influence.
Patel was born in California to Indian immigrant parents. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in political science and later earned his law degree from the University of Miami.
Patel served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and later worked as a counterterrorism adviser to the House Intelligence Committee. He also served as a special assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence under John Bolton.
In 2018, Patel joined the Trump administration as a senior adviser to Representative Devin Nunes, then the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. He later became a senior counterterrorism adviser to Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and was appointed as a deputy assistant to the President and senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council.
Patel played a significant role in the Russia investigation, working closely with Nunes to investigate the origins and conduct of the probe. He has criticized the FBI and the Mueller Report, accusing them of bias and overreach.
Currently, Patel serves as the chief of staff to Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller. He is considered a close confidant of President Trump and is expected to remain influential in the administration until the transition of power in January.
Patel’s actions and statements have drawn scrutiny and criticism. He has been accused of political bias, including targeting Trump’s political opponents. His role in the controversial dismissal of certain Pentagon officials has also raised concerns.
Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel, an Indian-American with a multifaceted background, has become a central figure in the Trump administration. His close ties to the President and his involvement in high-profile investigations have made him a subject of both praise and criticism. As the Trump presidency draws to a close, Patel’s future role and the legacy of his influence remain to be seen.
